And those who were within, relying on the strength of the walls and on their supply of provisions: Those who were within may be rendered “the citizens of the city” or “those living in the city.” Relying on the strength of the walls and on their supply of provisions means the inhabitants of Caspin believed that they were safe because the walls were so strong and because they had supplies of food and water to last a long time. Good News Bible‘s translation builds in the necessary information here.

Behaved most insolently toward Judas and his men, railing at them and even blaspheming and saying unholy things: Compare 2Macc 10.34. The men on the wall were not making fun of the Jews, as Good News Bible has it. They were shouting the worst insults they could think of, no doubt cursing them. Railing at them may be translated “they shouted vicious insults at them” or “they insulted them viciously.” Blaspheming and saying unholy things are two ways of saying the same thing. The enemy was not only insulting the Jews, but the God of the Jews as well. In translation it should be clear that the people of Caspin were insulting the God of the Jews, not their own god.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• The people in the city believed they were safe because their walls were strong and they had lots of food and water. So they showed complete contempt for Judas and his men. They shouted vicious insults at them, and shouted profane, unholy things about God.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.